Cars and motorcycles on the sidewalk: what responsibility will you have to bear?

Good afternoon, dear reader.

One of the previous articles on pddmaster.ru discussed whether a scooter driver needs a helmet. However, this is not the only question that arises among two-wheeler owners.

Even though a driver's license is required to operate mopeds, many scooter drivers do not know the traffic rules that apply to them.

This article discusses in detail the traffic rules for scooter drivers in force in 2022:

• Scooter and moped in traffic rules.
• Using low beam headlights.
• At what age can you ride a scooter?
• Is it possible to ride a moped without a license?
• The location of the scooter on the roadway.
• Features of transporting passengers on a scooter.
• Prohibitions for scooter drivers.

Where you can ride:

Moped drivers must move along the right edge of the roadway in a single file or in the lane for cyclists .

Moped drivers are allowed to move along the side of the road if this does not interfere with pedestrians.

“ Lane for cyclists ” is a lane of the roadway intended for the movement of cyclists and mopeds, separated from the rest of the roadway by horizontal markings and marked with sign 4.4.1 in combination with sign 8.14 located above the lane.

If the movement of a cyclist on a sidewalk, pedestrian path, shoulder or within pedestrian zones endangers or interferes with the movement of other persons, the cyclist must dismount and follow the requirements provided for by these Rules for the movement of pedestrians.

Prohibited:

(Features for mopeds in addition to the general traffic rules):

• violate the prohibition signs
• move on the road without a fastened motorcycle helmet.
• move on pedestrian sidewalks
• roads marked with signs: 5.1 and 5.3
• drive on the road without low beam headlights on.
• turn left or turn around on roads with tram traffic and on roads that have more than one lane for traffic in a given direction. Moreover, it does not matter where the tram tracks are located (in the middle of the roadway or on the side behind the sidewalk). Turning and turning around is prohibited in any case. The scooter driver always has the opportunity to stop, dismount from the vehicle and roll the scooter across the crossing and become a driver again.)
• drive a moped without holding the handlebars with at least one hand;
• It is prohibited to tow mopeds, as well as tow with bicycles and mopeds, except for towing a trailer designed for use with a bicycle or moped.
• transport cargo that protrudes beyond the dimensions by more than 0.5 m in length or width, or cargo that interferes with control;
• transport passengers if this is not provided for by the design of the vehicle;
• transport children under 7 years of age in the absence of specially equipped places for them;

The concept of scooter and moped in traffic rules

Traffic Rules
In accordance with clause 1.2 of the “Road Rules”, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 23, 1993 No. 1090 (hereinafter referred to as the Traffic Regulations), a moped includes a vehicle with the following characteristics:

• mechanical design;
• the presence of two or three wheels;
• speed development up to 50 km/h;
• internal combustion engine capacity up to 50 cubic meters. see or electric motor power during long-term operation in the range from 0.25 to 4 kW.

The category of mopeds also includes scooters and ATVs with the above parameters. Since the traffic rules do not contain a legal definition of a scooter, depending on the size of the engine and the speed during acceleration, it can belong not only to the category of mopeds, but also to motorcycles (if the characteristics differ from those given in the direction of their increase). Scooter driving is permitted to persons over 16 years of age upon receipt of a category M license.

Stop and Parking

Stopping and parking of vehicles is permitted on the right side of the road on the side of the road, and in its absence - on the roadway at its edge and in the cases established by paragraph 12.2 of the Rules - on the sidewalk.

12.2. It is allowed to park a vehicle in one row parallel to the edge of the roadway, with the exception of those places where the configuration (local widening of the roadway) allows for a different arrangement of vehicles. Two-wheeled vehicles without a side trailer may be parked in two rows.

Parking on the edge of the sidewalk bordering the roadway is permitted only for cars, motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles in places marked with sign 6.4 with one of the signs 8.4.7, 8.6.2, 8.6.3, 8.6.6 8.6.9.

After receiving the work assignment, the Delivery Specialist must:

• check the technical condition of the vehicle, paying attention to the serviceability of tires, brakes, steering, wiring, headlights, brake lights, direction indicators, sound signal, instrumentation, rear-view mirrors;
• refuel the vehicle with fuel and other technical fluids only at gas stations and service points;
• check the operability and serviceability of the engine at idle, lighting and instrumentation, and also check the operation of the brakes and steering at low speed;

Is it possible to ride a moped without a license in 2021?

Clause 2.1.1 of the traffic rules obliges the scooter driver to have a driver’s license:

2.1.1. Carry with you and, at the request of police officers, hand over to them for verification:

• a driver's license or temporary permit to drive a vehicle of the appropriate category;

Please note that the driver must have a license of category M or any other category for the scooter. In this case, the certificate should not have a special ML mark.

Scooter license

The delivery specialist should not travel under the following circumstances:

• a malfunction of mechanisms and systems has been detected in which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited;
• discrepancy between the characteristics of the vehicle and the characteristics of the cargo in terms of volume, carrying capacity, length and other parameters;
• absence or malfunction of lighting fixtures, rear-view mirrors, signaling devices.

If violations or malfunctions are detected, the delivery specialist is obliged to inform the person responsible for the release of vehicles about the technical faulty condition of the vehicle, as well as the director of the restaurant.

Features of moped control

It is prohibited to start driving without using personal protective equipment.

Motorcyclist landing.

When boarding a moped, the main point of support is the motorcyclist's legs, namely the inner thigh, which rests on the surface of the saddle, gas tank and foot. When driving a moped, the motorcyclist’s body is supported by the work of the abdominal and back muscle groups, while the arm muscles are relaxed. Hands serve only to control the moped, but are not a fulcrum.

Moped control.

When driving a moped on public roads, the motorcyclist holds the steering wheel with both hands with a normal grip.

Taking a turn.

Correct turning: the moped is tilted towards the turn, the body is also shifted towards the turn, the head is turned towards the exit point of the turn. When entering a turn, your gaze should be constantly directed towards the exit point, i.e. the motorcyclist looks where he wants to go, and not in front of the moped. The head turns towards the exit point, not the eyes!

Braking.

When braking, first press the rear wheel brake, then immediately press the front wheel brake handle - the rear wheel brake serves to redistribute the weight of the motorcycle along the axles, loading the rear axle of the moped, and the front wheel brake stops the moped. The front brake handle is released in 2 stages: - free play of the handle is selected; — smoothly squeeze the handle all the way, without intermittent movements, and hold it until the moped comes to a complete stop. Maximum effective braking is achieved by using the moped's braking system and engine braking. When braking a moped, the motorcyclist's torso is held by groups of abdominal and back muscles, the fulcrum is the inner side of the thigh and foot. Hands are used only to control the moped. When braking in a turn, using the front wheel brake, the moped tilts inward of the turn. When using the rear wheel brake, the moped is leveled. It is not allowed to use both brakes when turning - this technique will lead to a U-turn and the moped falling! When entering a turn, it is not allowed to release the gas - this technique will lead to blocking and skidding of the rear wheel and, as a result, the moped will fall.

Safety requirements during operation

1. During work, the Delivery Specialist is obliged to:

- carry out maneuvering only after first making sure that the maneuver is safe for surrounding pedestrians and that there is no interference for other vehicles;

2. The delivery specialist is prohibited from:

- be at work, drive or be behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, as well as medications containing alcohol;

- rest, sleep, eat food while in (on) a vehicle.

3. When operating a vehicle in unfavorable atmospheric conditions, the Delivery Specialist is obliged to:

— during fog, heavy snowfall or rain, use fog lights if available, move at a speed that allows safe movement, unless necessary, do not overtake vehicles moving in the same direction;

— when descending a slope, apply engine braking and apply the service brake;

- move on the ice of rivers and reservoirs only if you have permission from the traffic safety service and on specially equipped ramps and roads, lined with milestones and having signs and road signs.

4. Follow all electrical safety rules.

5. Parking a vehicle is allowed only in permitted places, in compliance with parking rules. It is prohibited to park a vehicle in permitted parking areas if it interferes with other road users, interferes with any repair work, or is exposed to a visible danger.

6. Leave valuables in the pizza box when parked.

7. At the end of the working day, the vehicle must be parked at a place agreed upon with the shift manager, and the keys and documents from the vehicle must be handed over to the manager for signature.

Transporting passengers on a scooter

A driver who has a license of any category for at least two years is allowed to carry out transportation.

A person with less than two years of driving experience cannot transport passengers on a scooter.

The carriage of passengers on a moped is regulated by clause 24.8 of the Road Traffic Regulations.

Carrying passengers on a moped is permitted if it has additional seats for passengers. This data must be included in the vehicle documents.

For children under seven years of age, it is necessary to have a child seat to ensure traffic safety.

Safety requirements in emergency situations:

1. If parts or assemblies of the vehicle fail, the Delivery Expert is obliged to move off the roadway (where permissible) and turn off the engine.

.2. In the event of a fuel fire, the delivery expert must take measures to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers, felt mats, tarpaulins, sand and other available means. If it is impossible to extinguish the fire independently, the forwarding driver must call the fire department in the prescribed manner and inform his supervisor.

3. In the event of a road traffic accident, the Delivery Specialist involved in it is obliged to:

• Immediately stop and do not move the vehicle.
• Turn on the hazard lights, wear a safety vest (if equipped), and display a warning triangle.
• Do not move or secure objects related to the accident (shards of glass, soil falling off tires, etc.).
• Call the immediate shift manager, in his absence, his replacement (deputy director of the restaurant (any category), shift manager (any category)) and the head of the transport department.
• Take measures to provide first aid to the victims, call an ambulance by calling 112 (toll-free, it is possible to make a call without a SIM card), and in emergency cases, send the victims by passing transport, while recording their details (full name, address, contact number phone). Upon arrival of the ambulance team, specify the substation number and the place of delivery of the victim.
• Report the incident to the traffic police by calling 112 (toll-free, you can make a call without a SIM card), write down the names and addresses of eyewitnesses.
• NECESSARILY!!! Take photographs of the accident site and the damage to all participants with general plans from all sides (location on the road in relation to traffic lanes, markings, signs, traffic lights and intersections) and close-ups.
• Find out and write down the names of all participants in the incident.
• Wait for the arrival of traffic police officers or emergency medical services.

Where to complain?

The easiest way is to write a statement to the traffic police, attaching facts (photo of the offender’s car, indicating the date and time of the violation). This can be done not only at traffic police departments , but also through their official websites - the necessary form exists for everyone. After submitting an electronic application, you may be asked to come to the branch at a convenient time and confirm it in writing. This will be faster than just driving, and you can choose a convenient time. As a result of these actions, the violator will receive a fine, of which he will be notified by mail (and will be added to the traffic police fines database, which will allow the inspector, for any violation committed by the car owner, to check for unpaid fines and bring him to re-liability).